| Kim Dong-yeon | |||||||||||
| Native Name Lang: | ko | ||||||||||
| Alias: | Kim Dong-yun | ||||||||||
| Birth Date: | 28 June 1975 | ||||||||||
| Birth Place: | South Korea | ||||||||||
| Alma Mater: | Department of Theater of Chung-Ang University | ||||||||||
| Occupation: | Playwright Musical and Stage Director | ||||||||||
| Years Active: | 2003 - present | ||||||||||
| Agent: | Poet and Samurai Theater Company | ||||||||||
| Spouse: | Marriage, Unknown | ||||||||||
| Children: | 1 Child, Unknown | ||||||||||
| Module: |
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Kim Dong-yeon, a South Korean playwright and theater director, is also known as the Blue Chip Director of Daehak-ro. He made his directorial debut in 2003 with the play "Fantasy Fairy Tale." One of his most famous works as a director is the South Korean musical Maybe Happy Ending, which premiered in 2017. Kim is also recognized for his military musicals The Shinheung Military Academy (2018) and Return (2019). Additionally, he has directed the South Korean adaptations of stage plays such as Human (2010), The Pride (2014), M. Butterfly (2017), Shakespeare R&J (2018), and Touching the Void (2022).[1]
Kim Dong-yeon joined a theater club in high school to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He dedicated himself to practicing vocalization in the backyard near his high school and later enrolled in the theater department at Chung-Ang University. While performing on stage as an actor during his college days, he discovered that he was better suited to be a theatre director.[2]
In 2001, Kim reconstructed Shakespeare's Hamlet into a play titled "Hamlet - The Story of a Sad Clown." He directed a university performance of the play, and his fellow student at the university, Kim Kang-woo, was cast as Hamlet.[3]
In his 20s, Kim was uncertain about pursuing a career as a director and questioned his talent. After graduating, he worked as staff for Persona Productions (페르소나 프로덕션), the company behind Nanta (난타) and Jump (난타), for two years. Then, He served as the artistic director of magic performances for Lee Eun-gyeol's Magic Concert.[4]
In 2003, Kim made his playwriting and directorial debut with the play "Fantasy Fairy Tale" as part of the 6th Seoul Frontier Theater Festival at the Hakjeon Blue Small Theater in November. The play received positive feedback for its fairytale-like stage, beautiful dialogue, and solid dramatic structure.[5] However, Kim was disappointed by the short performance duration of one week and the high production costs. This experience made him realize the challenges of staff composition in theater production.[6]
Fantasy Fairy Tale showcases Kim fascination with clowns as ironic beings that bring laughter while expressing sadness. The play features three clowns: the war clown, the art clown, and the love clown, who narrate the love story between Hans, a piano player who lost his hearing during the war, and Marie, a dancer who lost her sight, in a warm and lyrical manner. Although categorized as a play, the performance incorporated elements of music, songs, and dance akin to a musical, thanks to the clowns' play-within-a-play concept.[7]
"I thought, why not put dance, music, and theater together and give the three attributes of love, art, and war to a clown? It's a story about dreaming and loving even though the world seems like war. Even though I know that it's difficult, I don't want to give up theater. “It was like my story."Kim established one-man troupe "The Poet and the Warrior" (극단 시인과 무사). A poet using a pen, a Warrior using a sword. he named the theater company by combining occupations with conflicting personalities implied Director Kim's attitude toward theater. "Play itself is as romantic as the work of a poet. However, there were many people around me who only loved theater and gave up. I thought, Why is that so? and also thought that I should also draw a sword to face the world. I’m thinking about doing a romantic yet intense play for a long time.
To further develop "Fantasy Fairy Tale," Kim actively pursued funding opportunities for the production. In December 2004, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture fund application was disqualified. In April 2005, he faced another rejection. In September 2005, the project was disqualified from the Young Director Contest Showcase Performance. In October 2005, there was no communication regarding the success of the performance at the Seoul Art Market. Kim continued to seek funding, applying for the Korea Culture and Arts Council Fund, but was unsuccessful.
In 2006, Kim collaborated with Performance Planning Eda as the director of Patrick Süskind's play Der Kontrabaß. Myeong Gye-nam performed an extended monologue as a double bass player, speaking to the audience from his small sound-proofed apartment while enjoying a beer. Myung Gye-nam returned to this role after a 10-year, marking his theater comeback following Neulgeun Thief 3 years ago. Actress Seong Hyun-ah makes a special appearance in the play. The performance ran from February 7 to March 5 at Woori Theater in Daehakro.[8] [9] [10] [11]
After undergoing extensive revision and supplementation, the play was successfully staged in Daehakro in 2006, three years after its initial premiere. The production received funding from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. The 'Seoul Performing Artists' Group', consisting mainly of theater artists who participated in the Seoul Frontier Theater Festival, presented the play at Sangmyung Art Hall 1 in Daehakro, Seoul from September 14 to October 1, 2006. The cast included Choi Dae-hoon as War Clown, Oh Yong as Art Clown, Choi Yo-han as Love Clown, Song Hee-jin in the role of Marie, and Seong Jong-wan as Hans.[12] [13]
The Fantasy Fairy Tale production achieved commercial success when it was co-produced with Performance Planning Eda in March 2007. Eda Entertainment's CEO Sang-won acquired Daehak-ro Shinsi Musical Theater and transformed it into "Cultural Space Eda" in Daehak-ro. The inaugural production chosen for the 'Eda’s Stage Discovery Series' was "Fantasy Fairy Tale," which ran from April 5, 2007, to July 1, 2007.[14] This collaboration led to the development of a dedicated fan base.
The performances continued until 2013, featuring characters like the love clown (Lee Hyun-cheol and Lee Won), the art clown (Song Jae-ryong and Seong Jong-wan), the war clown (Kim Tae-geun, Hwang Ji-no), Hans (Kim Ho-jin and Shin Seong-min), and the standout character Marie (played by Kim Bo-geum).
Fantasy Fairy Tale" was performed on stage at Cotton Hall, Dongduk Women's University Performing Arts Center from December 21st to March 1st, 2020. The play created a buzz in Daehakro when star actor Kang Ha-neul, known for his role as 'Yong-sik' in the popular KBS 2TV drama "When the Camellia Blooms," appeared in the production.
In 2006, Kim started directing a joint production between Performance Planning Eda and 2B Company. The production was Cha Geun-ho's play "70 Minutes of Romance." Originally performed in 2000 and 2003 at small theaters in Hyehwa-dong 1 and Batangol under the title "The Origin of Love," the play had sold-out shows. The title was later changed to "Love for 70 Minutes," and the script was extensively revised for a 2005 performance in Daehangno. The 70-minute romance "He & She" premiered from December 20, 2006, to March 4, 2007, at the Happy Theater, featuring Ha Seong-gwang, Seo Jeong-yeon, and Jang Seong-ik.[15] [16]
In October 2007, Kim took over as the director of the musical "Finding Kim Jong-wook," which was a successful production by playwright-turned-director Jang Yoo-jeong in 2006.[17] He joined during season 3 and transformed the format into an open run starting from season 4, which began on April 14, 2009.[18] Kim continued to lead the musical until 2013.[19]
In 2008, Kim wrote and directed the play "Doctor Irabu," a Korean adaptation of the popular Japanese writer Hideo Okuda's compilation of short stories . The play featured fictionalpsychiatrist and his three patient stories. Two stories were adapted from the book "In the Pool" (イン・ザ・プール). The first story, "Companion" (コンパニオン), focused on Hiromi Yasukawa, an aspiring actress with a phobia of stalkers. The second story, "Leave it alone" (勃ちっ放し), centered on Tetsuya Taguchi, a 35-year-old timid office worker with Priapism. The third story was adapted from the book "Flying Trapeze" (空中ブランコ) and titled "Hedgehog" (ハリネズミ), which followed Seiji Ino, a young yakuza leader with a phobia of spiky objects or aichmophobia. The play premiered on October 18, 2008.[20]
In 2009, Kim directed the South Korean adaptation of the play My First Time, by Ken Davenport, a two-time Tony Award-winning theatre producer and playwright. The play features four actors portraying 18 stories collected from 40,000 cases worldwide, with audience participation to complete the narrative. Contrasting with The Vagina Monologues, which explores sex through candid monologues about the female genitalia, My First Time can be seen as a "Vagina Dialogue." Known for its bold and explicit content, the play addresses topics like rape, incest, and first experiences of homosexuality. The play was showing at Daehakro Arts Center until March 31st.[21] [22]
In the same year, Kim directed 'Hamlet - The Story of a Sad Clown'. The play intertwines the stories of young Hamlet (Choi Seol-hwa) and adult Hamlet (Oh Yong) through the character of the young clown Yorick (Choi Yo-han). In this adaptation, Hamlet stages a play called 'The Murder of Gonzago' to uncover the truth about his father's death. The play mirrors Hamlet's own family tragedy, leading him to seek revenge. Kim imagines that Hamlet learned acting from Yorick in his childhood, making the lines from the play a poignant reflection of his life. The final scene, where young Hamlet expresses a desire to only perform cheerful comedies, adds a touching layer to the story. This version was a revision of the play with the same name that was performed in his school performance in 2001. The production ran at Culture Space EDA from January 29 to 31, 2009.[23] [24]
In 2010, Kim collaborated with 2B Company and Chungmu Art Center on a Korean production of "Human," adapted from the play "Nos Amis Les Humains" by French writer Bernard Werber. "Human" is a two-hander play that explores the relationship between scientist Raul and animal trainer Samanta. The play delves into the theme of human nature through the unique perspective of characters who wake up one day to find themselves separated by a glass wall, highlighting the artist's imaginative approach to storytelling.[25]
In November 2011, Kim joined the 2nd Kim Soo-ro Project to produce a musical adaptation of Coffee Prince, based on the novel by Lee Seon-mi. The novel had already been adapted into a television series by MBC. The musical script was adapted by Kim and Jung Min-ah, who also wrote the lyrics. Lee Jin-wook composed the music, with Yang Joo-in as the music director and Kyung-yeop as the choreographer.[26] The musical focused on the romance between Choi Han-gyeol and Go Eun-chan. Kim Jae-beom and Kim Tae-han were double-cast as Choi Han-gyeol, while Yu Joo-hye and Hong Ji-hee played Go Eun-chan.[27]
Kim gained widespread recognition through his appearance on popular MBC TV show Infinite Challenge. He participated in the 'I'm a Singer In My Own Right' segment of the show, which aired for three episodes: Episode 281 (December 24, 2011), Episode 282 (December 31, 2011), and Episode 283 (January 7, 2012). In this segment, Jung Hyung-don was assigned to cover the song "Spring Chicken Soup" (영계백숙) by Yoon Jong-shin, originally sung by Jung Jun-ha and After School. Jung Hyung-don decided to present the song in a musical performance format due to its storytelling lyrics.[28]
The show's director, Kim Tae-ho held a meeting with Kim Dong-yeon to ask him to direct the performance. Won Mi-sol joined as the music director and Kim Kyung-yeop as the choreographer. They also collaborated with the Nam Musical Academy. The concept for the performance was a heroic story in a musical-style stage with costumes inspired by the Roman era. The stage featured a female vocalist appearing as a goddess, surrounded by nine musical actresses who danced and sang alongside her. Jung Hyung-don later appeared as a Roman general, accompanied by four musical actors.[29]
In 2012, Kim worked with Argentine director Gustavo Zajac in stage musical adaptation of popular drama series Lovers in Paris. It was premiered at the D-Cube Arts Center in April 2012, starring Lee Ji-hoon and Jung Sang-yeon as Han Ki-joo, Bang Jin-wi and Oh So-yeon as Kang Tae-young, and Lee Hyun, Jung Woo-soo and Run as Yoon Soo-hyuk.[30] [31]
Kim also worked on a musical adaptation of the Japanese manga series by Yarō Abe. The manga is about a late-night diner that is open from midnight to dawn and its quirky patrons. The series was already adapted into a Japanese drama in 2009. The musical adaptation of Midnight Diner was initially a canceled project, but Kim, along with lyricist-writer Jeong Young and composer Kim Hye-seong, decided to continue working on it. Park Yong-ho, the CEO of Musical Heaven, helped acquire the rights to perform the musical from Japan. With support from Doosan Art Center, a reading performance was held in February 2012.[32] [33]
Hong Ki-yu, CEO of Eukdo Co., Ltd, showed interest in producing the musical. Midnight Diner was performed at Dongsung Hall in Daehak-ro, Seoul starting February 17, 2013. The production was by Eukdo Co., Ltd, with investments from M Venture Investment and Interpark INT. Japanese manga publisher Shogakukan and stage designer Masako Ito collaborated on the production.[34] [35] The musical won the Innovation Award at the 3rd Yegreen Awards held at Chungmu Art Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul.[36]
In the end of 2012, Kim became mentor of Chungmu Art Hall 'The 1st Musical House Black and Blue' (제1회 뮤지컬하우스 블랙 앤 블루).[37]
Kim first attempt in directing a license musical was in 2013 South Korean adaptation of Gutenberg! The Musical! written by Scott Brown and Anthony King.[38] In this two-man musical spoof, a pair of aspiring playwrights Bud and Doug, perform a backers' audition for their new, hilariously ill-advised project – a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johannes Gutenberg. South Korean version of musical Gutenberg was premiered in Medium Theater Black of Chungmu Art Center in August 2013.[39]
It was followed by another license musical Carmen. Written by Norman Allen, lyrics by Jack Murphy, and music by Frank Wildhorn, it is based on the novella of the same name. Carmen premiered in October 2008 at the Karlín Musical Theater in Prague Czech.[40] The musical Carmen is a work that combines splendid performances such as magic, acrobatics and circus. Hue Park was lyricist for South Korean adaptation and Kim’s experience in magic show was one of the reason he was chosen for this work.[41] [42]
On March 5, 2013, the play Fantasy Fairy Tale was back on stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the performance. It performed until May 2013 Art One Theater Hall 3.[43] Kim also applied to Korea Center for Performing Arts 2013 3rd Exhibition Hall Competition. His proposal won, as result Fantasy Fairy Tale was selected part of 2013 Korea Performing Arts Center Excellent Repertoire Series and can perform in Grand Theater of Daehangno Arts Theater with 504 seats. Choreographer Song Hee-jin, who took on the role of Marie at the time of the premiere was in charge of the choreography. Actors who appeared in the premiere in 2003, Oh Yong, Choi Yo-han, Choi Dae-hoon, Lee Gap-sun, Lee Hyeon-bae, also joined.[44]
Kim's first collaboration with The Best Play was at their 5th festival, where he directed the Korean premiere of "The Pride" by Greek-British author Alexi Kaye Campbell. The Pride originally debuted in November 2008 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, earning Campbell the Critics' Circle Prize for Most Promising Playwright, the John Whiting Award for Best New Play, and the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an affiliate theatre.[45]
The play contrasts scenes from the restrictive 1950s with those from the more liberated, yet still imperfect, present day. In the past, there is a complex emotional triangle involving Philip, a real estate agent married to Sylvia, who finds himself drawn to Oliver, a writer whose books Sylvia is illustrating. In the present setting, the same character names are used, but the individuals are different: the modern Oliver is a freelance journalist jeopardizing his relationship with Philip due to his addiction to anonymous sexual encounters, seeking comfort from his friend Sylvia.
The South Korean adaptation of the play was written by Ji Yi-seon and translated by Kim Soo-bin. It premiered at the Art One Theater in 2014 with Lee Myeong-haeng and Jung Sang-yoon double-cast as Philip, and Oh Jong-hyuk and Park Eun-seok playing the role of Oliver. Kim So-jin and Kim Ji-hyun portrayed Sylvia, while Choi Dae-hoon and Kim Jong-goo were double-cast as Peter.[46] [47]
Kim also directed the encore performances of The Pride. In 2015, It was performed at Suhyeon Theater in Daehak-ro. Bae Soo-bin and Kang Pil-seok were cast as Philip, Jeong Dong-hwa and Park Sung-hoon as Oliver, and Lim Kang-hee and Lee Jin-hee as Sylvia. Lee Won and Yang Seung-ri alternated in the role of Doctor/Man/Peter.[48] [49]
In the third season of The Pride in 2017, Lee Myeong-haeng and Jung Sang-yoon reprised their roles as Philip, joined by Bae Soo-bin and Seong Doo-seop. Oh Jong-hyuk, Jeong Dong-hwa, and Park Seong-hoon returned as Oliver, with Jang-yul joining the cast. Sylvia was portrayed by Kim Ji-hyun (season 1), Lee Jin-hee and Lim Kang-hee (Season 2).[50]
The fourth performance of The Pride in 2019 featured Kim Joo-hun and Kim Kyung-soo as Philip, Lee Jung-hyuk and Lee Hyun-wook as Oliver, and Son Ji-yoon and Shin Jeong-won as Sylvia. The production took place at Art One Theater 2, Daehak-ro.[51]
In 2016, Kim joined the 6th Best Play Festival and directed the third work, "Hamlet - The Play," to honor the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.[52] This adaptation was based on Kim's previous directorial and written work, "Hamlet - The Story of a Sad Clown." The play debuted in 2001 as a university production, with Kim Kang-woo in the lead role of Hamlet. In this performance, Kim Kang-woo returned to play Hamlet in a professional stage production, sharing the role with Kim Dong-won. The play delves into the loneliness and inner struggles of Hamlet. It stays true to Shakespeare's original work but adds new characters like young Hamlet and the clown Yorick to delve deeper into Hamlet's isolation and the importance of embracing life. Playwright Ji Yi-seon worked with Kim to craft this fresh adaptation, which ran from August 2 to October 16, 2016, at the Chungmu Arts Center's Black Theater.[53] [54]
In 2017, Kim directed the third encore of The Best Play's repertoire, David Henry Hwang’s play, "M. Butterfly." He took over from Kim Kwang-bo, who helmed the premiere in the 3rd Best Play Festival in 2012 and the encore in 2014.
"M. Butterfly" is a play that combines Puccini's opera, "Madame Butterfly," with the true story of a 1986 French diplomatic leak incident. Playwright Henry Hwang was inspired by a chance conversation in 1985 about a French diplomat, Bernard Briscott, who fell in love with a Chinese actress who turned out to be a man. The play follows French diplomat René Gallimard as he reflects on his life in a Paris prison in 1986. Through flashbacks, the story alternates between his time in Beijing and Paris, with Gallimard identifying himself as Pinkerton and Song Li-ling as the female protagonist, Chu Cho-sang, from opera "Madame Butterfly."
It opens on September 9 at Art One Theater 1 in Daehakro, Seoul, and runs until December 3. Kim Joo-heon and Kim Do-bin play René Gallimard, Jang Yul and Oh Seung-hoon play Song Liling, Seo Min-seong and Kwon Jae-won play Toulon, Song Young-sook plays Chin-Suzuki, Hwang Man-ik and Kim Dong-hyun play Marc, Kim Yu-jin plays Helga, and Kang Da-yoon plays Renée.[55]
In 2021, Kim joined the 8th Best Play Festival and directed the fifth lineup. He helmed the Korean premiere of the play "The King's Speech" by David Seidler, adapted from the 2010 film of the same name. The play won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor at the 83rd Academy Awards and was premiered as a play in the UK in 2012. The story revolves around King Bertie (King George VI), who struggled with a stuttering speech impediment and his relationship with Lionel, a speech therapist. The play explores the friendship between two individuals from different social classes and delves into themes of overcoming personal limitations and true leadership.[56] [57]
The Korean version of the play was adapted by playwright Ji Yi-seon and translated by Park Young-rok. It was performed at Art One Theater Hall 2 from November 28 to February 7, 2021. The stage design was done by Lee Eun-kyung, lighting design by Kim Gwang-seop, music design by Chae Han-ul, costume design by Hong Moon-ki, prop design by Noh Ju-yeon, makeup design by Han Sae-rom, stage direction by Park Gi-ppeum, and graphic design by Lee Jong-gyu. Seo Hyun-cheol and Park Yoon-hee played the role of Lionel, while Park Jeong-bu and Cho Sung-yoon were double cast as King George VI. Other cast members included Lee Seon-joo as Myrtle, Yang Seo-min as Elisabeth, Won-jo Won-jo as David and Cosmo Lang, and Myeong-kyung Choi as Winston Churchill and King George V.[58]
In 2020, Kim served as the dramaturg for the original musical "Inside William," the first original musical of The Best Play. This musical was Second collaboration between Kim Han-sol and composer Kim Chi-young, known for their work on the musical "Letters for You." "Inside William" was selected in the creative musical category of the Korea Arts Council's '2020 Performing Arts Creation Center's New Work of the Year'. It premiered in 2021 on March 2nd at Daehakro Art One Theater. Originally scheduled to run until April 11th, the show's popularity led to an extension until April 25th. The production was directed by Park Ji-hye, with the script and lyrics by Kim Han-sol and composition and music direction by Kim Chi-young. The cast included Choi Ho-joong, Kim A-young, Yuria, Han Jae-ah, Kim Bada, Lim Jun-hyuk, Joo Min-jin, and Choi Seok-jin.[59] [60]
The musical "Inside William" had a showcase in London, England in 2022. It was selected for the 'K-Musical Roadshow in London', which was a part of the 2022 K-Musical Overseas Platform Showcase Project hosted by the Arts Management Support Center. On November 21, 2022, a highlight showcase was held at the Gatsby Mansion in London's West End, featuring local British actors and staff.[61]
"Inside William" also had a replica performance in Shanghai, China from 2022 to 2023. This production was produced by 'Shanghai Culture Square', a reputable production company that has consistently produced Chinese versions of excellent Korean original musicals. The performance took place at the Shanghai Commercial Theater from December 24, 2022, to January 1, 2023, under the Chinese title <莎翁乐园>. Director Kim Dong-yeon and choreographer Song Hee-jin directly led the local Chinese actors and staff in Shanghai, China, and the production received favorable reviews from local media as the best gift at the beginning of the year.[62]
During this process, the script was revised, and the actors' ideas were incorporated during reenactment practice in 2023. The core idea of the script revolves around the question "What if Hamlet, Romeo, and Juliet meet each other after coming out of the play?" This concept originated from the author's visit to Shakespeare's birthplace. The performance reflects the author's consistent warmth in observing the characters.
It is returning for a second performance two years after encore, directed by Kim Dong-yeon, with the script and lyrics by Kim Han-sol, composition and music direction by Kim Chi-young, at Art One Theater Hall 1 from September 12 to December 3, 2023.[63]
In 2022, Kim helmed the third work of 9th Best Play Festival.[64] He directed the South Korean premiere of the David Greig play Touching the Void,[65] based on the 1988 book of the same name by Joe Simpson.[66] The book was previously adapted into a docudrama survival film in 2003.[67] It was adapted for the stage by David Greig,[68]
Touching the Void is a play featuring four characters: Joe Simpson, Simon Yates, Sara Simpson, and Richard. The story is based on the real-life events of the 1985 Siula Grande expedition by mountaineers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates. The play depicts their challenging journey after Simpson breaks his leg during their descent and Yates makes the difficult decision to cut the rope, assuming Simpson had perished. Against all odds, Simpson manages to survive and find his way back to base camp. Shin Sung-min, Kim Seon-ho, and Lee Hwi-jong shared the role of Joe Simpson. Oh Jeong-taek and Jeong-hwan were double cast as Simon Yates. Lee Jin-hee and Son Ji-yoon played Jo's older sister, Sara Simpson. Jo Hoon and Jeong Ji-woo appeared as Richard, the manager of the Siula Grande expedition base camp.[69] [70]
After reading the script, I had no idea how to express it. But the written lines and stories came. It is a work that gives me a strong will to say, ‘I really want to tell this story to the audience living in this era. I think I was most worried about how much I could give the audience to imagine. There were limits to concretely implementing this (mountain). Making this feel synesthetic! It could be sound, it could be the feeling of light, and there are many ways to imagine on this stage... Rather than expressing it specifically, I express this story in a way that stimulates the imagination, and “I tried to make the stage simple so that I could focus more on the psychology of the characters, the situations they were in, and the emotions they wanted to express there.[71]The play premiered on July 8, 2022 at the Art One Theater 2 in Daehangno, and ran until September 29, 2022. The production was presented by The Best Play and sponsored by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and Porsche Korea. The play was based on the original work by Joe Simpson, adapted for the stage by David Greig and translated by Kim Seung-wan. The creative team included Park Sang-bong (set), Choi Bo-yun (lighting), Kwon Ji-hwi (sound), Kim Kyeong-yuk (music), Hong Moon-gi (costume), Rho Joo-yeon (props), and Kang Hyeon-ho as the stage manager.[72]
In September 2015, Kim worked with Hue Park and Will Aronson on a try-out production of their new musical, “Maybe Happy Ending,” in Seeya Studio at Wooran Foundation.[73] The musical was premiered by DaeMyoung Culture Factory in December 2016.[73] [74] In its premiere show, 70 out of 97 performances sold out. The show won 6 Korean Musical Awards, including Best Director.[75] The English-language version of "Maybe Happy Ending" was awarded the 2017 Richard Rodgers Award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters.[76] A new Korean production opened in 2018.[77]
| Title | Director | Theater | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | ||||||
| 2009 | Notre-Dame de Paris | 노트르담 드 파리 | Gilles Maheu and Wayne Fox | National Theater of Korea Haneulnuri Theater | August 1 - 27, 2009 | ||
| Seongnam Arts Center Opera House | September 1 - 12, 2009 | ||||||
| 2012 | Lovers in Paris | 파리의 연인 | Gustavo Zajac | D-Cube Link Art Center | April 5, 2012 - May 28, 2012 | ||
| 2014-2015 | Kinky Boots | 킹키부츠 | Jerry Mitchell | Chungmu Art Center Main Theater | December 2, 2014 - February 22, 2015 |
| Title | Role | Theater | Date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | |||||
| 2007-2013 | Finding Kim Jongwook | 김종욱 찾기 | Director | JTN Art Hall 1 | October 23, 2007 - February 17, 2013 | |
| 2008 | White Proposal | 화이트 프로포즈 | Director | Family Theater Vision Hall | March 27, 2008 - April 26, 2008 | |
| April 5–Aug 31 | ||||||
| 2009 | My First Time | 마이 퍼스트 타임 | Director | JTN Art Hall 3 | January 3, 2009 - May 10, 2009 | |
| 2009 | Finding Kim Jongwook | 김종욱 찾기 | Director | Daegu Bongsan Culture Center Main Hall (Gaon Hall) | January 14, 2009 - February 15, 2009 | |
| 2009 | Mother Promise | 엄마의 약속 | Place Daehak-ro Star City Tiny Alice (Art Hall Marika Building 2) | October 1 – December 31 | ||
| 2012 | Coffee Prince 1st Shop | 커피프린스 1호점 | Director | TOM Theater 1 | February 24, 2012 - April 29, 2012 | |
| 2012-2013 | Midnight Diner | 심야식당 | Director | Dongseon Arts Center Dongseon Hall | December 11, 2012 - February 17, 2013 | |
| 2013 | Finding Kim Jongwook - Gunpo | 김종욱 찾기 - 군포 | Director | Gunpo Cultural Arts Center Chireugkhol (Small Theater) | February 14, 2013 - February 16, 2013 | |
| 2013-2014 | Carmen | 카르멘 | Director | LG Art Center | December 3, 2013 - February 23, 2014 | |
| 2014 | Gutenberg | 구텐베르크 | Director | Yes 24 Stage 3 | Sep 17–Dec 7 | |
| 2014-2015 | Midnight Diner | 심야식당 | Director | Daehak-ro Musical Center Middle Theater | November 16, 2014 - January 18, 2015 | |
| 2015 | School Oz | 스쿨오즈 | Director, Playwright | SMTOWN THEATRE | January 14, 2015 - December 31, 2016 | |
| 2015 | Dwarfs | 난쟁이들 | Director | Chungmu Art Center Black Box | February 27, 2015 - April 26, 2015 | |
| 2015 | Pungwolju | 풍월주 | Director | Venue Petitzel Theater | Sep 8–Nov 22 | |
| 2016 | Dwarfs | 난쟁이들 | Director | TOM Theater 1 | January 26, 2016 - June 26, 2016 | |
| 2016–2017 | Gutenberg | 구텐베르크 | Director | Chungmu Art Center Medium Theater Black | Nov 13–Jan 22 | |
| 2016-2017 | Maybe Happy Ending | 어쩌면 해피엔딩 | Director | Yes24 Stage 2 | December 20, 2016 - March 5, 2017 | |
| 2017 | Maybe Happy Ending | 어쩌면 해피엔딩 | Director | Yes24 Stage 2 | October 23, 2017 - November 12, 2017 | |
| 2017-2018 | Dwarfs | 난쟁이들 | Director | TOM Theater 1 | November 26, 2017 - February 11, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days | 신과 함께_저승편 | Director | Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater | March 27, 2018 - April 15, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days - Ansan | 신과 함께_저승편 - 안산 | Director | Ansan Culture & Arts Center Haedoji Theater | April 27, 2018 - April 29, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Infinite Power | 무한동력 | Director | Chungmu Art Center Middle Theater Black | April 24, 2018 - July 1, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Shinheung Military Academy | 신흥무관학교 | Director | National Museum of Korea Theater Yong | September 9, 2018 - September 22, 2018 | |
| Seongnam Arts Center Opera House | October 6, 2018 - October 7, 2018 | |||||
| Andong Culture & Arts Center Ungbu Hall | October 12, 2018 - October 14, 2018 | |||||
| Mokpo Citizen Culture & Sports Center Grand Theater | October 26, 2018 - October 28, 2018 | |||||
| Shinheung Military Academy - Jeonju | Jeonbuk National University Samsung Cultural Hall | November 9, 2018 - November 11, 2018 | ||||
| 2018 | Shinheung Military Academy - Ulsan | 신흥무관학교 - 울산 | Director | Ulsan Hyundai Art Center Grand Theater | November 16, 2018 - November 18, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Shinheung Military Academy - Daejeon | 신흥무관학교 - 대전 | Director | Daejeon Arts Center Art Hall | November 30, 2018 - December 2, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Shinheung Military Academy - Busan | 신흥무관학교 - 부산 | Director | Busan Cultural Center Grand Theater | December 14, 2018 - December 16, 2018 | |
| 2018 | A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder | 젠틀맨스 가이드 | Director | Hongik University Daehakro Art Center Main Theater | November 9, 2018 - January 27, 2019 | |
| 2018 | Maybe Happy Ending | 어쩌면 해피엔딩 | Director | Yes24 Stage 1 | November 13, 2018 - February 10, 2019 | |
| 2018 | Vampire Arthur | 뱀파이어 아더 | Director | Chungmu Art Center Middle Theater Black | November 30, 2018 - February 10, 2019 | |
| 2018 | Shinheung Military Academy - Ansan | 신흥무관학교 - 안산 | Director | Ansan Culture & Arts Center Haedoji Theater | December 21, 2018 - December 23, 2018 | |
| 2018 | Shinheung Military Academy - Suwon | 신흥무관학교 - 수원 | Director | Gyeonggi Arts Center Grand Theater | December 29, 2018 - December 30, 2018 | |
| 2018–2019 | Vampire Arthur | 뱀파이어 아더 | Director | Chungmu Art Center Medium Theater Black | Nov 30–Feb 10 | |
| 2019 | Shinheung Military Academy - Daegu | 신흥무관학교 - 대구 | Director | Keimyung Art Center | January 4 - January 6 | |
| 2019 | A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder | 젠틀맨스 가이드 - 부산 | Director | Sogang Theater Shinhan Card Hall, Busan | February 15 - February 17 | |
| 2019 | Shinheung Military Academy | 신흥무관학교 | Director | Kwanglim Art Center BBCH Hall | February 27 - April 21 | |
| 2019 | A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder | 젠틀맨스 가이드 - 수원 | Director | SK Artrium Main Theater, Suwon | March 1 - March 3 | |
| 2019 | Shinheung Military Academy - Gwangju | 신흥무관학교 - 광주 | Director | Gwangju Arts Center Main Theater | May 4 - May 5 | |
| 2019 | Shinheung Military Academy - Chuncheon | 신흥무관학교 - 춘천 | Director | Baengnyeong Art Center, Kangwon National University (formerly Baengnyeong Culture Center) | May 31 - June 1 | |
| 2019 | Cyrano | 시라노 | Director | BBCH Hall of Gwanglim Art Center | Aug 10–Oct 13 | |
| 2019 | Return | 귀환 | Director | Olympic Park, Woori Finance Art Hall | October 22 - December 1 | |
| 2019-2020 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | Director | Cottonhall, Dongduk Women's University Performing Arts Center | December 21 - March 1 | |
| 2020 | Via Air Mail | 비아 에어 메일 | Director | Daehakro Arts Theater Small Theater | March 7, 2020 - March 15, 2020 | |
| Maybe Happy Ending | 어쩌면 해피엔딩 | Director | Yes24 Stage 1 | June 30, 2020 - September 13, 2020 | ||
| Sideureus | 시데레우스 | Director | Art One Theater Hall 1 | Aug 12–Oct 25 | ||
| Yes 24 Stage 1 | Oct 31–Nov 29 | |||||
| 2020–2021 | A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder | 젠틀맨스 가이드: 사랑과 살인편 | Director | Concert Hall Hongik University Daehangno Art Center Grand Theater | Nov 20–March 1 | |
| 2021 | Inside William | 인사이드 윌리엄 | Dramaturg | Art One Theater 1 | March 2, 2021 - April 25, 2021 | |
| 2021 | Who's Living in the Kuroi Mansion? | 쿠로이 저택엔 누가 살고 있을까 | Director | Plus Theater (formerly Culture Space N) | February 18, 2021 - March 21, 2021 | |
| 2021 | The Great Comet | 그레이트 코멧 | Director | Universal Art Center | March 20, 2021 - May 30, 2021 | |
| 2021 | Maybe Happy Ending | 어쩌면 해피엔딩 | Director | Yes 24 Stage 1 | June 22, 2021 - September 5, 2021 | |
| 2021–2022 | A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder | 젠틀맨스 가이드: 사랑과 살인편 | Director | BBCH Hall at the Gwanglim Art Center | Nov 13–Feb 20 | |
| 2021-2022 | Who's Living in the Kuroi Mansion? | 쿠로이 저택엔 누가 살고 있을까 | Director | Plus Theater (formerly Culture Space N) | November 18, 2021 - January 9, 2022 | |
| 2022 | Dwarfs | 난쟁이들 | Director | Plus Theater (formerly Culture Space N) | January 25, 2022 - April 10, 2022 | |
| 2022 | Death Note | 데스노트 | Director | Chungmu Art Center Main Theater | April 1, 2022 - June 19, 2022 | |
| 2022 | Hourglass | 모래시계 | Director | D Cube Art Center | May 26–Aug 14 | |
| 2022 | Death Note | 데스노트 | Director | Opera House, Seoul Arts Center | July 1, 2022 - August 14, 2022 | |
| 2022 | Mrs. Doubtfire | 미세스 다웃파이어 | Director | Seongnam Arts Center, Shallotte Theater | August 30, 2022 - November 8, 2022 | |
| 2023 | Death Note | 데스노트 | Director | Charlotte Theater | March 28, 2023 - June 18, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds | 신과 함께_저승편 | Director | CJ Towol Theatre, Seoul Arts Center | April 15, 2023 - April 30, 2023 | |
| 2023 | Death Note | 데스노트 | Director | Keimyung Art Center, Daegu | June 30, 2023 - July 16, 2023 | |
| Busan Citizens' Hall Main Theater | July 26, 2023 - August 6, 2023 |
| Title | Theater | Date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Korean | |||||
| 2006 | Der Kontrabaß | 콘트라베이스 | Woori Theater in Daehakro | February 7 to March 5 | ||
| 2006 | 70 Minutes of Romance “He & She” 1st Performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | Happy Theater | Dec 20, 2006 - Mar 4, 2007 | ||
| 2007 | 70 Minutes of Romance “He & She” Busan Performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | Busan Gamagol Small Theater | March 8 - April 1 | ||
| 2007 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | TOM Theater 2 | April 5, 2007 - July 1, 2007 | ||
| 2007 | 70 Minutes of Love “He & She” Encore Second Performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | Daehangno Sangsang Art Hall White (Sangsang White Small Theater) | April 19 - July 22, 2007 | ||
| 2007 | 70 Minutes of Romance “He & She” 2nd Busan Performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | Busan Gamagol Small Theater | Dec 8-31 | ||
| 2007-2008 | Dr. Irabu | 닥터 이라부 | Daehangno Sangsang Art Hall White (Sangsang White Theater) | October 18, 2007 - January 13, 2008 | ||
| 2008 | 70 Minutes of Love “He & She” Encore 3rd Performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | Daehangno Sangsang Art Hall White (Sangsang White Theater) | Jan 18 - March | ||
| 70 Minutes of Love “He & She” Encore 4th Performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | March 12 - June 8 | ||||
| 2008 | Dr. Irabu | 닥터 이라부 | Hoam Stage | March 14, 2008 - March 1, 2009 | ||
| 2008 | White Proposal | 화이트 프로포즈 | Family Theater Vision Hall | March 27, 2008 - April 26, 2008 | ||
| 70 Minutes of Romance “He & She” Daegu performance | 70분간의 연애 － He＆She | Daegu Culture and Arts Theater CT | June 11 - July 6 | |||
| 2008 | Dr. Irabu | 닥터 이라부 | Cultural Art Theater CT | July 10, 2008 - August 3, 2008 | ||
| 2008 | 70 Minutes of Love - Busan | 70분간의 연애 - 부산 | Old BNK Busan Bank Joheun Theater 2 | July 11, 2008 - July 27, 2008 | ||
| Busan Gamagol Small Theater | July 9-27 | |||||
| 2008-2009 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | TOM Theater Company Daehangno | April 5, 2008 - August 31, 2008 | ||
| 2009 | My First Time | 마이 퍼스트 타임 | JTN Art Hall 3 | January 3, 2009 - May 10, 2009 | ||
| 2009 | Hamlet - Sad Clown Story | 햄릿 - 슬픈 광대 이야기 | TOM Theater 2 | January 27, 2009 - January 31, 2009 | ||
| 2009 | Finding Kim Jongwook | 김종욱 찾기 | Daegu Bongsan Culture Center Main Hall (Gaon Hall) | January 14, 2009 - February 15, 2009 | ||
| 2009 | Dr. Irabu | 닥터 이라부 | Cultural Art Theater CT | March 19, 2009 - April 12, 2009 | ||
| 2009 | Fantasy Fairy Tale - Busan | 환상동화 - 부산 | Old BNK Busan Bank Joheun Theater 2 | September 25, 2009 - October 25, 2009 | ||
| 2009-2010 | 70 Minutes of Love - He & She | 70분간의 연애－He＆She | Daehangno Sangsang Art Hall White (Sangsang White Theater) | October 6, 2009 - March 14, 2010 | ||
| 70 Minutes of Love | 70분간의 연애 | Culture and Art Exclusive Theater CT | December 4, 2009 - January 3, 2010 | |||
| 2010 | 70 Minutes of Love - He & She | 70분간의 연애－He＆She | Chungmu Art Center Small Theater Blue | July 3, 2010 - August 29, 2010 | ||
| 2010 | Human | 인간 | Chungmu Art Center Small Theater Blue | July 3, 2010 - August 29, 2010 | ||
| 2012 | Lovers in Paris | 파리의 연인 | D-Cube Link Art Center | April 5, 2012 - May 28, 2012 | ||
| 2013 | Finding Kim Jongwook - Gunpo | 김종욱 찾기 - 군포 | Gunpo Cultural Arts Center Chireugkhol (Small Theater) | February 14, 2013 - February 16, 2013 | ||
| 2013 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | Art One Theater 3 | March 1, 2013 - May 26, 2013 | ||
| 2013-2014 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | Art Theater Main Theater | December 6, 2013 - December 15, 2013 | ||
| 2014 | Drama Series 5 - Pride | 연극열전5 - 프라이드 | Art One Theater 2 | August 16, 2014 - November 9, 2014 | ||
| 2015 | Speaking in Tongues | 스피킹 인 텅스 | Yes24 Stage 3 | May 1, 2015 - July 19, 2015 | ||
| 2017 | M.Butterfly | M.Butterfly | Art One Theater 1 | September 9, 2017 - December 3, 2017 | ||
| 2018 | R & J | 알 앤 제이 | Lee Hae-rang Theater | July 10, 2018 - September 30, 2018 | ||
| 2019 | Pride | 프라이드 | Art One Theater 2 | May 25 - August 25 | ||
| 2019 | R & J | 알 앤 제이 | Lee Hae-rang Theater | June 28 - September 29 | [78] | |
| 2019 | Return | 귀환 | Olympic Park, Woori Finance Art Hall | October 22 - December 1 | ||
| 2019-2020 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | Cottonhall, Dongduk Women's University Performing Arts Center | December 21 - March 1 | ||
| 2020-2021 | Theater Series 8 - The King's Speech | 연극열전8 - 킹스 스피치 | Art One Theater 2 | November 28, 2020 - February 7, 2021 | ||
| 2020-2021 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | Dongduk Women's University Performing Arts Center, Cotton Hall | December 29, 2020 - March 1, 2021 | ||
| 2021 | Inside William | 인사이드 윌리엄 | Art One Theater 1 | March 2, 2021 - April 25, 2021 | ||
| 2021 | R&J | 알 앤 제이 | Lee Hae-rang Theater | February 5, 2021 - May 2, 2021 | [79] | |
| 2021-2022 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | 환상동화 | National Theater of Korea, Dalloreumi Theater | December 12, 2021 - February 12, 2022 | ||
| 2022 | Touching the Void | 터칭 더 보이드 | Art One Theater 2 | July 8, 2022 - September 18, 2022 |
| Year | Work | Category | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Korea Musical Awards | 2023 | Death Note | Best Director | [80] | ||
| Best Musical Over 400 Seats | ||||||
| 6th Korea Musical Awards | 2022 | Great Comet | Daesang | [81] | ||
| Best Musical Over 400 Seats | ||||||
| Best Director | ||||||
| Who Lives in Kuroi's Mansion? | Daesang | |||||
| Best Musical Under 400 Seats | ||||||
| Best Director | ||||||
| 8th E-Daily Culture Awards | 2021 | Maybe a Happy Ending | Grand Prize | [82] | ||
| 5th Korea Musical Awards | Sideureus | Best Musical Under 400 Seats | [83] | |||
| Who Lives in Kuroi's Mansion? | Best Director | |||||
| 4th Korea Musical Awards | 2020 | Cyrano | Best Musical over 400 Seats | [84] | ||
| Best Director | ||||||
| Sideureus | Best Musical Under 400 Seats | |||||
| 3th Korea Musical Awards | 2019 | Shinheung Military Academy | Daesang | [85] | ||
| Gentleman's Guide: Love and Murder | Best Musical Big Theatre | |||||
| Best Director | ||||||
| 2nd Korea Musical Awards | 2018 | Maybe a Happy Ending | Musical of The Year | [86] [87] | ||
| Best Director | ||||||
| 6th Yegreen Musical Award | Best Director | [88] | ||||
| 2018 Asia Culture Awards | Shakespeare R&J | Best Drama | [89] | |||
| 3th Yegreen Musical Award | 2013 | Dwarf | Innovation Award | [90] | ||
| 2nd Yegreen Musical Award | 2013 | Midnight Diner | Innovation Award | |||
| The 7th Miryang Summer Performing Arts Festival | 2007 | Fantasy Fairy Tale | Young Director's Home Directing Award | [91] |